READING Business Improvement District (BID) is co-ordinating a campaign to provide vital resources to vulnerable young people in Reading this summer.
It is supporting Brighter Futures for Children’s Summer Activities Programme, an annual initiative designed to help those most in need.
The BID is co-ordinating donation boxes from local businesses and asking for the public’s help through a donation centre especially set up at Reading Station this month.
The Summer Activities Programme aims to contribute essential items such as clothing and toiletries, which will go to some of the most vulnerable individuals within Reading, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, young carers, care leavers, and new mums and their babies.
Last summer’s donation campaign saw more than 80 boxes of food, clothing, and hygiene products donated by generous local businesses, including an impressive 70kg of pasta, 200 toothbrushes, and 92 packs of sanitary products.
This year’s initiative aims to help even more young people, and will also be extending collections to include public donations.
As well as a public donation point in Reading Station, a number of town centre businesses will also be hosting donation drop-off points for their own staff members to contribute to the scheme, between June 16 and July 17.
To support young carers, asylum-seeking children, care leavers, and new mothers and babies, the donation drive is collecting essentials including backpacks and school supplies; basic clothing like socks, underwear, t-shirts, shoes; toiletries and hygiene products; bed linen and towels; cleaning products; and maternity and baby care items such as nappies, baby grows, breast pads.
Alexa Volker, Reading BID Manager, said “Last year’s incredible response showed just how generous Reading’s community can be, with employees across the town rallying together to donate essentials to those in need.
“This year, we are introducing a public donation option–a public collection point will be open at Reading Station from 14 to 17 July, giving everyone a chance to help make a difference to vulnerable young people in our community.”
Brighter Futures for Children’s Executive Director of Children’s Services, Lara Patel, said: “We are delighted to be involved in such a fantastic initiative, bringing together the people of Reading to make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people in our communities.
“The items you can donate are things we take for granted every day, and things that everyone deserves to have access to.
“By each making just a small donation, the collective impact we can have on those who need it most cannot be understated.”
The public drop-off point will be available at Reading Station, Brunel Arcade (next to Burger King), and open for donations between Monday–Wednesday, July 14-16, from 8.30am-7pm, and Thursday, July 17, between 8.30am-2.30pm.
More information is available via: visit-reading.com/business/bid/summer-donation-drive
